By Thompson Agu in Abuja
Indications are rife that Senator Hope Uzodinma has maintained upper hand in the battle for who takes the APC governorship ticket of Imo State, Trumpeta can report.
A miniature logjam has ensued in the State chapter of ruling party in Imo State over who is incharge of the governorship ticket.
Imo top class politicians, Hope Uzodinma and Chief Uche Nwosu are involved in the battle for the ticket even as a court case in the matter is scheduled to hold today (Tuesday) in Abuja to give further directives on the matter after hearing.
Without prejudice to the court matter gaining attention in an Abuja High Court, Trumpeta can reveal that the Senator representing Orlu zone has gotten upper hand against Nwosu, the adopted choice of the outgoing governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
From what transpired in the APC final choice for National Assembly candidates where some vital aspirants on the side of Okorocha lost out, it has become certain that the same fate will befall Nwosu, an ally of the governor he tipped for the governorship position.
Followers of Okorocha under Rescue Mission arrangement have been in tears and sorrow following the lost they experienced when the names of those the governor had endorsed for the positions couldn’t sail through.
The governor’s men like Prof Nnamdi Obiareri, and Kingsley Uju lost out for Okigwe zone and Ohaji/Egbema APC tickets, while another die hard supporter, Simeon Iwunze could not fly for Okigwe North Fed Constituency ticket.
Impeccable sources revealed that with Okorocha having the Orlu zone ticket in his kitty, there are revelations that the number one citizen of Imo State has traded away Nwosu for his senatorial ambition.
According what the newspaper obtained in Abuja, the APC leadership asked Okorocha to go for harmonization but he refused insisting to have it all to his side.
It was however gathered that Okorocha was asked to choose between going for senate and having his son inlaw pick the APC governorship ticket.
Instead of coming into terms with the party on the sharing arrangements, Okorocha opted for a court order restraining APC to submit another name other than him, He as well insisted on Nwosu’s candidancy for Imo APC Guber.
Okorocha’s dispotion was said to have attracted the wrath of the party leadership in Abuja who are against him having the ticket of senate for Orlu zone and at the same time the son inlaw picking the ticket.
Aggrieved at his approach, the NWC of the party was said to have also asked him to make certain concessions to enable other stakeholders have a stake on the ticket for 2019 but the governor was accused to have refused, leading to the party disregard his interest.
It was gathered that the refusal of Okorocha to make amends and consider other APC leaders not in his camp as stakeholders made the party’s leadership to submit names of both camps to INEC thereby leaving some of his anointed candidates out of the game plan.
The same is about to befall Nwosu as inside sources at the party’s office disclosed that before the court decides who takes the ticket, the name of Uzodinma is on the list.
The party is said to be waiting for the end of the court matter before submitting Uzodinma’s name to INEC as governorship candidate.
Meanwhile, the court matter resumes Tuesday as lawyers to both parties return to court.
